RNS Number:0405U
EPIC Brand Investments plc
09 January 2004


 Friday 9th January 2004

                                 PRESS RELEASE

                           EPIC BRAND INVESTMENTS PLC

                      Acquisition of CD from Lever Faberge


EPIC Brand Investments plc ("EBI" or the "Company") today announces that it has
agreed terms to invest, together with Lornamead Home & Personal Care Limited ("
Lornamead"), in CD Holdings Limited ("CD Holdings"), a company incorporated for
the purpose of acquiring the CD brand ("CD") for an undisclosed sum from Lever
Faberge, a subsidiary of Unilever.

Until further notice, the Lever Faberge operations in Belgium, Austria and
Germany will continue to sell, distribution and procure the CD brand as part of
normal operations.

CD:

CD is a leading personal care brand in Germany, with additional operations in
Austria and Belgium, focused on the deodorant, soap, skincare, shower and bath
products markets.  In the year to 31 December 2002, CD generated net sales of
Euro20.2m.

CD is one of the top five brands by market share in the deodorant, soap,
skincare, bath and shampoo categories in Germany. The acquisition of CD gives
EBI and Lornamead access to the German and other European markets through CD's
network and sales expertise.

Lever Faberge is disposing of CD in line with Unilever  "Path to Growth"
strategy which aims to focus on a smaller amount of big brands.


Transaction:

EBI and Lornamead have acquired 100% of the share capital of CD Holdings. EBI
has invested Euro8.5m million (#6.0m): #3.0m in the equity and shareholder loans of
the acquisition vehicle and #3.0m in a mezzanine instrument. As per the
co-investment agreement between EBI and Lornamead, the latter has invested in
the equity of the company on a ratio of 1:1 with EBI.


EBI's Current Portfolio Investments:

The acquisition of CD is the fifth acquisition made by EBI since the Company's
launch in December 2002. The other acquisitions to date have been:

*    April 2003: #3.1m investment in Natural White Holdings Limited, which is 
     one of the leading manufacturers of tooth whitening systems for the North
     American and European markets;

*    April 2003: #3.0m investment in Network Holdings Limited, whose brands
     include Christy skin care, Te Tao hair care and Triple Dry antiperspirant, 
     as well as licensing and distribution agreements for the Sally Hansen nail 
     care range;

*    October 2003: #1.8m investment in Lypsyl Holdings, a leading lip balm
     brand; and

*    December 2003: A further #0.7m invested in Network Health & Beauty
     Ltd.to provide funding for the acquisition of Harmony, Amplex, Goldspot,
     Boymist, Precision, Once and Ingram brands.

Enquiries:

EPIC Specialist Investments                          020 7984 8646
Giles Brand

Haggie Financial                                     020 7417 8989
David Haggie

Notes to editors:

EPIC Brand Investments Plc: EBI raised a #50 million fund that focuses on buying
a portfolio of Home and Personal Care products in late 2002. These brands will
be 'reinvigorated' and either sold or retained for income. EBI is managed by
EPIC Specialist Investments Limited (ESI) part of EPIC Investment Partners.

EPIC Investment Partners: A fast growing fund management group employing an
experienced and highly successful team of investment professionals, the group
companies offer clients a range of high performance and often innovative
investment solutions.

The Lornamead Group: A home and personal care business with an experienced
management team headquartered in Dubai with affiliated offices in London,
Jersey, Ireland, Toronto, Lagos, Johannesburg and Cape Town.


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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